>> yes, st. louis is my home, i was a professional singer for many years, i moved back home and the whole county embraced me. my mom always said you can come home when you can't go anywhere else. singing is my first love, cooking is my second, and that's what i did. opened a restaurant, 15 years ago, my first one, and st. louis just embraced me, supported me, and we're helping each other. everybody saying i put st. louis on the map, but st. louis put me on the map. >> most new businesses fail in five years, you not only didn't fail, you grew and expanded. what was your secret to success? >> people didn't believe in me at first. all i got was negative input. nothing positive. so that was kind of my inspiration. i was focused on this. i knew if i had a product that was good, it would work. i would go all over looking for the best restaurant, and especially soul food, it's a diei dieing breed. so my mom taught me and i wanted to spread it with my family. it's a good product, people will enjoy it and